Using propane tank for air

[bigegg]

Is it possible to add (say) a 47kg gas cylinder inline to increase the storage capacity of a compressor?

What would I need to do?

 

[Rig Pig]

Yes but you need to vent it first!

 

[Kayos]

You can get POL to 1/4 bsp fittings so just vent the gas and connect it in. You might want to mount it upside down to drain the water but I just disconnect mine and turn it over, I use a 19kg

 

[frank horton]

is it strong enough....?....the air tank on mine looks like 5mm thick......spose it'bd be ok after the regulator........down to 50-60 psi.......bit worried about it tho..

 

[Kayos]

is it strong enough....?....the air tank on mine looks like 5mm thick......spose it'bd be ok after the regulator........down to 50-60 psi.......bit worried about it tho..

The standard pressure relief valve opens at 26bar on a propane bottle

 

[optima21]

dont worry about the pressure the propane bottle can hold, at 30C the pressure in of propane in a bottle is roughly 150psi (10bar).

slightly off topic but compare that to the pressure of 100% butane and you can see why propane is used is used for heavy usage gas appliances as in winter you wouldn't be able to use them as the gas pressure drops to nothing around 0C and as the gas gets used, the remaining gas gets colder, and in some cases you can get ice forming on the outside of a propane cylinder, that'll never happen with a butane cylinder. and if you use disposable camping gas cylinders get a butane/propane mix as you might make that first cuppa quicker on a cold morning when camping.

 

[8ob]

I have been using a smaller ( around 35kg) calor bottle as a mobile air tank for years. I unscrewed the tap and bushed down the 3/4" bsp thread to a pcl fitting, I pump that up off the main compressor or lorry with a double male pcl to 150psi and use it to take on site to inflate tyres or blow out rads. Gets used a lot and I have had no issues with it.

Bob

 

[brightspark]

aww god here we go again. ive seen full propane bottles thrown of roofs they sometimes just dent depending on what they hit. a square 1 gallon oil can with crimped ends can take 50 psi before they burst

 

[rtbcomp]

This has been discussed a zillion times on here.

 

[God mode restorations]

I had a similar idea ages ago. Brought this nice tank for a £1 at my local Saturday market. I don't suppose I get round to doing it.

 

[bigegg]

So....
Take the tap out, fit a 3/4" BSP male to 3/8 male adaptor into the hole.
3/8" ball valve.
3/8" bsp tee
3/8" quick release fitting to output, and a hose barb to compressor.


Does that sound about right?


Do I use PTFE tape on joints?

 

[bigegg]

This has been discussed a zillion times on here.

I did a search?
I'd be grateful for a link to a definitive thread?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Won't this mean your pump will be running for much longer than it's designed to? Might not be good for it in terms of heat build-up? [You'll gather I don't know a LOT about compressors...]

 

[rtbcomp]

I did a search?
I'd be grateful for a link to a definitive thread?

There'll be a few in here:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/search/6235449/?q=propane&o=date&c[node]=40

 

[roofman]

Ive had one for over 20 years living outside and never see,s less than 150psi (not at home)..go for it.

 

[Kayos]

I’d use this

https://www.bes.co.uk/propane-connector-pol-x-1-4-m-8885

Then a 1/4 to pcl

Less connections to make and less to go wrong, use the bottles valve to shut it off

 

[merryman]

Won't this mean your pump will be running for much longer than it's designed to? Might not be good for it in terms of heat build-up? [You'll gather I don't know a LOT about compressors...]

At work we only have single phase and used a big 3hp garage compressor (250 litre at least) for air supply for about ten years. I noticed it had taken to running nearly all the time, so tried curing all the air leaks, but it still ran a long time. "The boss" decided to get another compressor, and went for a cheap 3hp direct drive with small air tank. Noisy as hell but hardly runs at all. Important bit, we can switch on when we want it because we don't have to wait 10min for it to build up pressure, it runs for about 30 sec to build pressure back up after using say, the air wrench, old one was thumping away for a couple of min every time, partly because the old compressor was getting tired, but mainly because the new air tank is so much smaller.

 

[8ob]

This has been discussed a zillion times on here.

I have told you a billion times to stop exaggerating

Bob